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Reverend W. Wilks apple trees

Reverend W. Wilks

Reverend W. Wilks is a well-known English cooking apple, very much in the vein of the Victorian culinary apple tradition, although it was developed a bit later, in the early 1900s. It is thought to be derived from Ribston Pippin and Peasgood Nonsuch, both well-regarded English culinary apples.

Reverend W. Wilks ripens at the end of August and produces a well-flavoured tangy but sweet puree when cooked. The apples are large and juicy, but less sharp than some later-season cookers such as Bramley.

Reverend W. Wilks apple trees for sale

Pot-grown

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

  • PG12-year bush-trained 12L pot-grown tree MM106 rootstock £39.50
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)

Bare-root

  • BR11-year bare-root tree MM106 rootstock £19.95
    Large tree (3m-4m after 10 years)

How to grow

Reverend W. Wilks is a good choice for anyone wanting an easy early-season cooker. It is easy to grow, heavy-cropping, reliably self-fertile, and has excellent natural disease-resistance. The tree is a compact grower.

The only issue to look out for is a tendency towards biennial-bearing - fruiting only every other year as it gets older. This can be addressed by heavy thinning of the fruitlets in early June of the "on" year.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Developed by Mr Veitch of Chelsea at the start of the 20th century, and quickly recognised by the RHS (it received an Award of Merit in 1904).

Reverend W. Wilks characteristics

Using

  • CroppingGood
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • Flavour qualityGood
  • WildlifeRHS perfect for pollinators
  • Flavour style (apples)Sweet/Sharp
  • Food usesCulinaryTraditional cooker
  • Cooking resultPuree
  • Discoloration of fruitVery oxidising (browns quickly)

Growing

  • Gardening skillBeginner
  • Self-fertilitySelf-fertile
  • Flowering group2
  • Pollinating othersAverage
  • PloidyDiploid
  • VigourSlightly small
  • PrecocityPrecocious
  • Bearing regularityBiennial tendency
  • Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
  • Organic cultureSuitable

Problems

  • Disease resistanceGood
  • CankerSome resistance
  • MildewSome resistance
  • ScabSome resistance

Climate

  • Climate suitabilityMild damp climates
  • Summer average maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Cold (< 20C / 67F)

Identification

  • Country of originUnited Kingdom
  • Period of origin1900 - 1949
  • Flower colourWhite
  • Leaf colourGreen